Good on you for not 'falling' for that route. It may sound 'easy' in the short term, but who wants to have their personal records tarnished forever (which is the reality out there, whatever some of you may think). Bravo and bonne chance.

Just picked up this thread, so I don't know where you stand today.
Health is No.1, who cares about reputation?
Quitting unless you have a job lined up is generally financially less good than either getting fired or leaving by "mutual agreement". You might need a lawyer or advisor to draw up a suitable contract which can include payment for retraining and a re-defining of the non-competition clause.
Good luck -you are not alone in this kind of predicament